Brake beam



Feb. 21, 1928.

T. J. LAING BRAKE BEAM Filed May '7, v 1926 M A n "m 4 a Z Y W 5 a 3 MJ o 3 F a 2 3 fi M 2 z .H m 2 1 M i l iu IF wy azmm/mi/Z Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES THOM S 3. Lame, orcLaRxsBuRG, wns'r VIRGINIA.

' BRAKE 1mm.

Application filed May 7,

This invention relates to brake beams, embodying among other characteristics a reversible member adapted for connection with brake rods leading in opposite directions.

An object of'the inventioncontemplates a tension member for holding braking elements uponthe ends of a supporting beam.

A further object'of the invention comprehends locking means carried by the braking elements for associating brake shoes'therewith. More specifically stated the reversible member is adapted for detachable engage ment with a supporting beam in order that brake rods may be readily associated therewith, thereby obviating the usual necessity of reversing and altering the portion of the entire beam. V

lVith the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings: 7

Figure l is an elevation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the reversible member as set up for use.

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken on line H of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 through the reversible member of Figure 3 of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates the frame of a truck, not shown,

Hanger members 11 are carried thereby at appropriate points and at spaced intervals thereon and which provide embossed pockets 12. Pivoted links 13 have their upper ends positioned within the enclosures defined by the pockets and mounted upon pivot pins 14 extending to the adjacent side walls thereof.

Brake heads 14 are provided with apertured flange portions 15 adjacent their ends and between which the lower ends of the pivoted hangers 13 are connected to suspend the brake heads. Forward faces at the brake heads are provided with spaced 1926.' Serial No. 107,440;

aligned apertured ears 16 registering with the portions as defined by forwardly'and obliquely disposed fingers 17 the purpose of which will be readily apparent. I w

Brake shoes 18 provided with apertured lug members19 are adapted for interposition between the ears 16 of the brake heads 14; andadapted for the ultimate're'ception of locking keys 20 extending through the apertured portions thereof.

The off set upper ends 21 of the keys are guided between the uppermost of the fingers l7 and abut the upper portions of the brake heads 14: to'prevent suchkeys from falling through the apertured portions of the aligned ears and lugs respectively.

The corresponding inner sides" of the brake heads 14: j are provided with triangular shaped pockets or sockets 22 Within which the extremities of an angular beam 23 are received.

A reversible fulcrum 24 is provided with reduced and pointed end portions 25. Said ends are cutout as indicated at 26 in Figure 4 of the drawing.

Either of the ends 25 is adapted to be fitted within one side of the angle beam 23. Said beam receives within-the cutout portions 26 thereof trunnions 27 carried by a clevis 28 also having its end portions lapped upon the opposed sides of the particular end portion 25 to receive a fastening element 29 therethrough.

A tension member 30 has its end portions extending through the pockets or sockets 22 in the brake heads 14' while the intermediate portion of its length is passed through a V-shaped opening 31 arranged in the free end of the reversible divider member 24. Said tension member is broken at. an appropriate point in its length and has connected to the broken endsthereof a turnbuckle 32 which when tightened will force the ends of the angle beam 23 within'the sockets or pockets 22 whereby the brake shoes 18 carried and looked upon the brake head 14 may be arranged and sustained in alignment with wheels, not shown, upon which said shoes are applied.

Said fulcrum member is twisted upon itself between the reduced and pointed end portions 25 thereof at any desired pitch or inclination. An elongated longitudinally disposed slide portion 33 provided in the member 24 communicates with openings 34 in the adjacent side walls of the member.

In the use and operation of the present invention a shaft, such as indicated at 35 is passed through the free end of the member 2a and extends in a vertically disposed position with relation thereto. The upper end of the said shaft forms a loop 36 within which a spring, not shown, is fitted to prop erly supportand position the entire structure in proper position for use. A brake lever, not shown, is passed and fulcrumed within the slide portion 33 of the reversible fulcrum 24 which has connected to the opposite ends thereof a brake lever and fulcrum. respectively. V

'It is to be noted that the reduced and pointed ends of the reversible fulcrum 24: are the same. Said end may be selectively positioned and secured'to the angle beam 23 and by virtue of the pitch of the brake lever, not shown, is fulcrumed within the slide portion 33 also arranged at an inclination in order that a brake rod leading in different directions may be readily fitted and connected to such brake lever upon the reverse attachment of the appropriate end of the member. In other words the opposite ends of the reversible fulcrum may be reversed in the instance of connecting a brake rod with a brake lever fulcrumed and car ried thereby.

Obviously the operation of a brake rod in conjunction with the fulcrum brake lever will operate to equalize the. draft of the brake shoes 18 upon traction wheels, not shown The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction, and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim. V Having thus described my invention What is claimed is: V 5 v A device for use upon brake beams comprising a fulcrum terminating to provide pointed end portions, said fulcrum bein twisted in different directions and provide with an elongated longitudinally disposed slotted portion, said ends being provided with cut-out portions and adapted for engagement with said beam, a clevis carried by the beam pivotally connected with the ad jacent end'of the fulcrum, and trunnions carried by the clevis projected through the beam within the cut-out portions of the fulcrum to prevent displacement of the latter, In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS J. LAING.

We d 

